 | Beirut today Beirut is a city that has had a tumultuous past and has suffered greatly as a result of , but like the proverbial phoenix, it has risen in no time. If you remove the images of bombing, riots and violence, you will discover a tiny yet amazing city that pulsates with life. Massive restoration and construction programs have set it back on its feet. Beirut is also an important commercial center and home to nearly a third of the country’s population. Beirut has the advantage of great weather, mountain and sea resorts, great food, European architecture, exciting night life and casin |
 | Beirut back then Beirut has been built and rebuilt over the centuries by Canaanites, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Arabs. In 4000 BC, the Canaanite-Phoenicians settled along the eastern Mediterranean coast and from their ports at Byblos, Sidon and Tyre they established trade with Europe and colonized North Africa. Lebanon came under Roman rule in 64 BC and was later part of the Eastern Roman or Byzantine Empire. Beirut, as a Roman colony, was named Colonia Julia Augusta Felix Berytus. The original town was located in the valley between the hills of Ashrafieh and Musaytibah. Beirut’s famous law school, wh |
 | Hotel Albergo Hotel Albergo is only 5 Kms from Beirut International Airport, in the district of Ashrafieh. It is a |  | InterContinental Phoenicia Hotel Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the InterContinental Phoenicia Beirut is situated along the famou |
 | Le Royal Hotel, Beirut Overlooking the Mediterranean in all its splendor, Le Royal Hotel is just 15 Km from Beirut Internat |  | Metropolitan Palace Hotel The Metropolitan Palace Hotel located in Sin El Fil, Beirut’s business district, has 163 rooms, 11 |
 | The Beirut Galleria (ex-Marriott) Hotel The Beirut Galleria (ex-Marriott) Hotel is located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. With eas |  | The Crowne Plaza Beirut The Crowne Plaza Beirut Located on one of Beirut’s busiest streets, Hotel Crowne Plaza is j |
 | ABC Mall The ABC Mall, the largest mall in Beirut, is a place where you can shop for almost anything. With a |  | Downtown Beirut High-end designer stuff from Lois Vuitton to Prada and everything in between is what you can find i |
 | Mar Elias Street One of the most sought after shopping destinations of the capital, Mar Elias Street with its over 25 |  | Rue Verdun Verdun in West Beirut has expensive boutiques selling branded fashion. You can find top names like Z |
 | Beirut Mall At Beirut Mall it is not just the shopping but the entire shopping experience that makes it so speci |  | City Mall City Mall is a popular shopping area due to the diverse range of products sold in the 100 stores loc |
 | Beirut International Film Festival The Beirut International Film Festival is organized by the Beirut Film Foundation. Lebanese cinema h |  | Independence Day Perhaps the most important day in the Lebanese list of public holidays is its Independence Day, whic |
 | Baalbeck International Festival The Baalbeck International Festival is one of the oldest and most well known cultural events in the |  | The Garden Show and Spring Festival Exotic plants and sweet scented flowers assail your senses at the annual Garden Show and Spring Fest |
 | Beirut Marathon A highly awaited event, the Beirut Marathon is well attended by athletes from the Middle East, Afric |  | Horse Racing The racing facility in Beirut is officially known as Hippodrome Du Parc De Beyrouth. Each morning, o |
 | Diwan Shahrayar When legendary Lebanese cuisine is complemented with superb live oriental entertainment including be |  | Le Rouge Le Rouge is a cosy French style bistro with an international cuisine. Some dishes worth trying out a |
 | Bob’s Diner A n authentic American experience with loud crowds, juke-box fifties style, and generous portions ma |  | Socrates This casual Lebanese restaurant is situated right next to AUB campus and serves traditional dishes a |
 | Casablanca Casablanca has a beautiful setting in one of the few intact Ottoman houses on the Corniche. It has a |  | Roadster Diner Delicious food, friendly staff and excellent service make this one of the most famous American diner |
 | Fast Facts Location: Middle East, south west part of Lebanon it is the capital and a port. Dialing code: Country +961 : City 01 Emergency numbers: • Ambulance: (01) 865 561 • Fire Department: 175 or (01) 310 105 • Tourist Police: 112/160 or (01) 350 901 • Civil Defense: 125 or (01) 425 244 • Red Cross: 140 or (01) 863 295 • Ministry of Tourism in Beirut: (01) 340940 /4 or 343 074 • Airport: (01) 628 000 • International Calls Operator: 100 • Telephone Directory Services: 120 Population: City- 1, 250, 000 Metro- 2, 600, 000 Area: 100 km² Languages: Arabic and French are the official languages of Lebanon and commonly spoken. English is very widely spoken. You can also hear Armenian on the streets and public places. Time zone: Local time in Lebanon is GMT +02 in winter and GMT +03 in summer (April to September). Winter days are short with daylight from 6 AM until 5 PM. In summer, the days are longer, from 5 am until 8 PM. Average January temperatures: 14ºC (57.2ºF). Average July temperatures: 27ºC (80.6ºF). Annual rainfall: 1000mm (40 inches) El |
